Has the luster worn off the Andrew Bynum experiment?
At times, the Cavaliers center looks like a world beater, like he did in the first half of Tuesday’s 119-116 loss to Portland.
But then there are times when he’s an invisible man. The 7-foot, 294-pounder didn’t attempt a shot in the second half of that game.
Cavs coach Mike Brown said the Trail Blazers started fronting Bynum, which totally neutralized him.
“Right now, we don’t know how to get him the ball when teams front him,” he said. “Sometimes it brings us to a standstill and makes us real stagnant offensively.”
Just wondering, but couldn’t the Cavs pass the ball to the wing and try to throw the entry pass from there? Merely fronting Bynum shouldn’t be enough to totally take him out of the game. This is the highest level of basketball, after all.
He converted 6 of 12 shots from the field for 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in the game. However, not one of his shot attempts came after halftime. That’s unacceptable.
If he was frustrated after the game, one can probably understand. He bolted out of the locker room long before the media were invited in.
Bynum, 26, missed the entire 2012-13 season in Philadelphia with knee issues. After signing with the Cavs (9-15) last summer, he missed all eight preseason games in October. Then, unexpectedly, he was activated for the season opener on Oct. 30.
The only problem was the Cavs hadn’t practiced with Bynum and didn’t know how to get him the ball, where he liked the ball and when to get him the ball. When he moved into the starting lineup for the Chicago game on Nov. 11, that further complicated the matter.
Bynum was held out of the second night of back-to-back games early in the season, but now has few restrictions on his game. Brown said he wants to keep the former All-Star to 26 to 28 minutes per game.
Overall, his numbers have continued to get better: 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He’s shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 76.3 percent from the foul line.
“It’s a work in progress,” Cavs guard Kyrie Irving said. “Every game we’re getting more used to playing with him.”
Bynum is guaranteed $6 million regardless of what happens this season. If he’s on the roster on Jan. 10, 2014, he will get the entire $12.25 million.
The second year of the deal, worth $12.54 million, becomes guaranteed on July 11, 2014.
But there are pitfalls.
He holds his own or even dominates against many of the league’s behemoths. However, when big men have the ability to step out to the perimeter, that’s when he struggles. Miami’s Chris Bosh put a hurting on him last Saturday, not by challenging him near the basket, but by shooting 18-foot jumpers. Bosh outscored him, 22-4.
Bynum is like a beached whale 15 to 20 feet away from the basket.
“If you play him straight up and allow us to throw him the ball, he’s going to make plays,” Brown said. “He’s going to score or he’s going to make the right pass out if you try to double team (him).”
Bynum gets a bit lackadaisical defending the pick-and-roll at times, which is a good way to get the hook in Brown’s defense. Backup Anderson Varejao is more aggressive defending the pick-and-roll, which is why he’s often on the court during crunch time.
“(Bynum) wants to be on the floor,” Brown said. “We want to keep getting him out there. He needs to have patience.”
Also, if the rebound comes right to Bynum, he will secure it. However, if it’s outside his zone, forget it. He doesn’t have the lateral quickness to get the ball.
He has good footwork on his post-ups. If his teammates can get him the ball in the post, he’s so long he can score in a number of ways.
“We’re happy with his progress,” Brown said. “He can still get a lot better. We have to work with him to make the game easier for him.
“He’s not only skilled, but he’s intelligent, too.”

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@morningjournal.com
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